STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3724

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    GOV. MSG. NO. 875

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2016

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred Governor's Message No. 875, submitting for study and consideration the nomination of: 

Tax Review Commission

G.M. No. 875

COLLEEN TAKAMURA, for a term to expire 06-30-2019 (Date of expiration removed by GM890),

begs leave to report as follows:

     Your Committee reviewed the personal statement and resume submitted by Colleen Takamura and finds that the nominee has the necessary qualifications to serve on the Tax Review Commission.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Colleen Takamura from the Department of Taxation; Hawaii Association of Public Accountants, Niwao & Roberts, CPAs, a Professional Corporation; Pacific Pile & Crane, Inc.; and four individuals.

     Ms. Takamura received a Master's degree in Accounting from Ohio State University and a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from the University of Denver.  She is a Certified Public Accountant with over twenty-seven years of public and private accounting experience.  For the past twenty years, she has been a manager and a supervisor of staff at Niwao & Roberts, which handles individual, business, fiduciary, estate, and nonprofit tax returns, as well as audits, reviews, and other accounting matters.

     Ms. Takamura is a member of the Hawaii Association of Public Accountants and is the President of its Maui Chapter.  She is also active in the community and has served as the Treasurer of the Baldwin High School 2014 Project Graduation, Treasurer of the Maui Okinawa Kenjiin Kai, a financial assistant for the Baldwin High School girls' softball team, and an assistant for various Maui girls' softball teams.

     Your Committee believes that Ms. Takamura's extensive experience will be beneficial to the Commission in conducting a systematic review of the State's tax structure.  As one who is highly regarded in her profession, she will bring to the Commission ideas for improving efficiency and equity in Hawaii's tax system.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee, after full consideration of the background, experience, and qualifications of the nominee, has found the nominee to be qualified for the position to which nominated and recommends that the Senate advise and consent to the nomination.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

____________________________

JILL N. TOKUDA, Chair